Coupons Team Workouts: Fitness Ball & Pinterest Routine

Coupons.com is bringing you more team workouts today. This time we’re sharing the routines completed by Cheryl and Helen. Let’s see how these two prepared for their summer bodies by using fitness balls and 15-minute home routine from Pinterest.

Why the Change: For his birthday, I got my husband a personal trainer so that he could have consistent motivation for eating healthy and working out. A few weeks after getting him the trainer, I thought to myself, “why don’t I use my own advice and start eating better and exercising more too?” So I went to the gym 4-6 days a week and watched what I ate, which really meant substituting some carb-heavy foods with protein.

The Workout: I didn’t stick to any specific workout. Instead, I tried a few different things. Some days I would do P90X, while other times I would ride on a bike trail near my house. For the most part, I would go to the gym and do cardio on the elliptical, treadmill or bike to turn at least 300 calories. Then I would do weight lifting in the form of 15-pound dumbbell swings, ab workouts on a fitness ball, planks and leg lifts. I just wanted to always incorporate both cardio and weights into my routine.

As far as food goes, I was more adamant about the amount of calories I ate so that it would correlate with the amount of calories that I was burning at the gym. Also, I ate smaller meals more often–for about six meals a day. My husband also made me yummy green smoothies full of kale, avocado, banana and chia seeds.

My Results: I started working out the week of May 11, 2014. It’s been about seven weeks since then, and it’s healthy to lose about 1-2 pounds a week. I can happily say that I’m in that range of weight loss, but it’s not about a specific number for me. It’s about achieving a toned, healthy look. But I’m considering getting some sort of FuelBand so I can better track calories burned outside of the gym.

Name: Helen Fang
Job: Marketing
Age: 32
Stats: 5’9?

Workout: I randomly found this 15-minute workout by fitness model Jamie Eason on Pinterest. It’s very simple and can be done anywhere–no equipment or even shoes required. I chose this because it was positioned as a workout that moms can do while the kids are sleeping. While I don’t have kids, I was motivated (and maybe a little ashamed) that if busy moms can do this, then so can a busy working professional. I simply downloaded the image from Jamie’s Facebook fan page and referenced it during each session.

What I Liked: Initially, I was intimidate by the sheer number of exercise drills to be done in 15 minutes. The first time I did it, I came in at around 17 minutes–not bad! As I became more familiar with the routine and pattern, I was actually able to complete it under 15. What’s great about this routine is that it will get your blood pumping and you will sweat. Since the focus is lower body and cardio, you will experience some soreness which means it’s actually working. I’m hoping to take this routine on the road when I travel this summer for vacation and work.

What I Didn’t Like: There’s nothing that I didn’t like about this routine. But I would add some additional abs and arms if you’re seeking a full-body workout.

Before you shop: Which of these team workouts would you choose to get fit for summer? Check out our sports and outdoors coupon codes for great deals. Or you can read another post in this workout series to see which routine gets you motivated!